MATCHING HYPOTHESIS
Abstract
The matching hypothesis states that people are attracted to members of the opposite sex who are similar in terms of physical attractiveness rather than seeking the most physically attractive mate
This study aims to test this hypothesis by selecting a set of photos of married couples and asking participants to rate the attractiveness of each of the partners.
All of the participants were from the sixth form at our school. 10 participants were asked to rate the physical attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 = highly attractive)
The correlation was significant (p=0.05, critical value = 0.564, observed value= 0.821, alternate hypothesis accepted).
This suggests that, when looking for a partner, people try to match their own physical attractiveness.
Introduction
Relationships start with interpersonal attraction; this refers to positive feelings about another person.
One view is that we seek partners who are physically attractive, possibly because this is evidence of their good reproductive potential (evolutionary theory).
An alternative view is the matching hypothesis, which suggests that we seek a partner whose physical attractiveness matches our own physical attractiveness.
This is likely because even though we find physically attractive people most attractive, we compromise when selecting a potential partner to avoid rejection. We do not select a partner who is much less physically attractive because this would limit our reproductive success
Walster et al (1966) tested this hypothesis in a study called the ‘Computer Dance experiment’. 400 students were invited a ‘freshers’ week dance and told they would be paired with a similar partner (although they were randomly paired and judges rated each student in terms of physical attractiveness
At the end of the dance, students were all given questionnaires including a question about whether they would like to see their partner again. Walster et al found that’s students were most likely to want to see a physically attractive partner again rather than one who was more of a match.
Walster and Walster (1996) repeated this study; they found support for the matching hypothesis, participants preferred someone who matched their own perceived physical attractiveness.
Aim
To replicate the work of Murstein (1972) adapting the original design. Instead of asking participants to rate their own attractiveness, this study will use photographs of strangers and require participants to rate the attractiveness of the people in the photographs.
We would expect couples to be similar (matching) in attractiveness because they have chosen each other. People should go for someone of similar level of attractiveness rather than someone who is much more or much less physically attractive.
There is no correlation in the attractiveness ratings given to the partners in a relationship
Method
The study involved a questionnaire to collect ratings of photographs and used a correlation analysis to assess the data
An opportunity sample was taken from sixth from students at our school. Those students who were available at the time of the study were asked to participate
Photographs of ten married couples were selected from various websites and articles and labelled 1-10. All photographs were selected according to certain criteria
Firstly the faces of each partner were looking straight at the camera. Secondly both partners were aged 20-40 as age could have been a feature of the attractiveness rating. Finally Race was mostly controlled, 8/10 of the photo’s white Europeans were used.
The male and female photographs were then cut out separately and placed onto a sheet for male photographs and a sheet for female photographs. The photos on each sheet were placed randomly so that they were not in the same order. An example of the photographs used is in appendix 5
STandardised Instructions
Each participant was asked to rate all 20 individual photos using a scale of 1 – 10, 1 being unattractive and 10 being attractive.
Afterwards, participants were thanked and given the standard debriefing. (Appendix 7) The debriefing informed them of the true aim of the study after which all of the participants understood what they had taken part in.
Control
Researcher bias was minimised by using standardized instructions and not watching the participants as they completed the task to avoid participant reactivity.
Differences between the photographs were minimised because otherwise this would act as a confounding variable for example, age or race.
Ethics
Partially informed consent was sought, the participants were told what the task would involve them doing, that they had the right to withdraw at any time and that their answers would remain anonymous.
The minor deception of the aim of the study was dealt with by debriefing the participants at the end of the study, informing them of the true aim.
Results
Scatter graph
The scatter graph shows a strong positive correlation between female attractiveness and male attractiveness
Level of significance
In order to determine whether this positive correlation was significant, we used an inferential statistical test.
Spearman's Rank was used to find this out
The level of significance selected was 5%, the hypothesis was directional and therefore a one tailed test was used. N=10
The observed value of rho = 0.821
The critical value of rho = 0.564 (p=0.05)
Using a one tailed test the result shows a significant positive relationship between the partners in a couple, because the calculated value is 0.821 is greater than the critical value of 0.564 at p 0.05
Discussion
The hypothesis predicted a positive correlation between the ratings of physical attractiveness between the males and females members of a couple.
The scatter graph showed a strong positive correlation and this was found to be significant at the 5% level when using the inferential test.
References
Murstein, B I, (1972) Physical attractiveness and martial choice. Journal of Marriage and the Family, VOL 42, No. 4.
Walster, E.H. & Walster, G.W. (1969), 'The matching hypothesis', Journal of personality and Social Psychology, VOL 6, pp.245-55
Walster, E. (1966). Importance of physical attractiveness in dating behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. pp.508-516
Appendix
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
Null Hypothesis
Each participant was taken into a separate room to complete the task, away from the distractions of other students. The standardized briefing instructions were read to the participant and consent was given. (Appendix 6)
Alternate Hypothesis
There will be a positive correlation in the attractiveness ratings given to the partners in a relationship